Explosions from Chinese rocket rock Puerto Princesa skies

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — Residents of Puerto Princesa were rocked by loud explosions at 8:45 a.m. on Thursday, possibly from the Long March12 rocket launched by the People’s Republic of China.

The Philippine Space Agency earlier issued an advisory on the launch scheduled between 8:25 a.m. and 8:54 a.m., warning that debris from the rocket, including rocket boosters and payload fairings, is expected to fall in the waters near the city.

READ: Coast Guard warns of Chinese rocket debris in Cagayan, Ilocos

PhilSA designated a drop zone for the debris within 25 nautical miles southeast of Puerto Princesa City and 19 nautical miles west of Tubbataha Reefs National Park.

Authorities have also warned seafarers to avoid the drop zone and asked people not to touch suspected debris they may find, as it may contain harmful chemicals such as rocket fuel, and to notify the government./coa